#theres a few scenes i wanted to write too but i feel like itll detract from this atmosphere so :'D

[sakurabeam]

[utapri] fic: stars in the forest

Name: stars in the forest Series: Utapri Characters: Ittoki Otoya, Ichinose Tokiya Summary: Four instances during a production of a series. Notes: a bday gift for bday girl @lolis4laifu! kyaaa im here today with an (implied) tokioto!!! kinda takes place after sun in the night but nothing too concrete. also many thanks to @peekabooitsmiko for helping me to bring a lot of this fic to life!!! (thats right, i talked about tokioto without you, im sorry)

     i. before

When he received the script, he was only aware of the story that inspired this production. And Otoya being Otoya and the busy schedule, hadn’t read the script yet. But it was a production with QUARTET NIGHT, and Tokiya and everyone else accepted the job too. If everyone is fine with it, Otoya guesses that he would be too.

It’s only when Nanami came to him in the break of dance practice, a soft adorable pink hue on her cheeks that he realised that the production is not as simple and cute that he thought. “Hey, Ittoki-kun, have you read the script?”

A weird reaction, but he didn’t think too much about it, and simply laughed then. “Nope! I kinda fell asleep immediately after getting it. Maybe later!”

Her eyes dip then, and Otoya thought that her blush got deeper. Weird. “A-Ah, alright. Do your best, Ittoki-kun!”

Along with the thought that Nanami was cute as usual, was a sudden nervousness. Especially when Tokiya suddenly seems to be shifting awkwardly beside him. 

And there’s the shared glance between Nanami and Tokiya too.

The first thing he does once he’s back in the apartment is flipping open the script. By the end of it, he’s lying curled up on the couch, unable to meet Tokiya’s eyes.

But even if he can’t see the other’s face, he feels as though the other is awkward too, as he fixes up the kitchen and the rest of the apartment. It takes another 10 minutes before Tokiya finally sits down in front of him. Taking a deep breath, Otoya attempts to meet his eyes.

He manages, just a little.

“You really should check the script before you accept the job.”

The peal of laughter that tumbles out of his mouth is sheepish and too dry to be fully natural. “I guess you’re right! But... it’s okay.”

Blue eyes stay on him for a while longer, an inquisitive seriousness as he purses his lips. “Really? If you don’t want to, you can still cancel.”

Tokiya says so, despite knowing the complications that come with backing out of a contract that he has already signed. And his thoughtfulness makes a little of the awkwardness fade, replaced by the warmth that he has always felt towards the other.

There’s a soft smile on his lips, lowering the script book that he has been holding the whole time. “It’s okay.”

“Really?” He prods further, eyes glimmering with meaning. “I told you, right? I’d like it if you don’t put fronts with me. So, if you’re uncomfortable with it, we can back out of it.”

Otoya’s heart swells, but he shakes his head. The awkwardness he felt towards the story has completely dissipate by then. It has always been hard to stay uncomfortable with Tokiya anyway. And his questions only serve to help Otoya realise that it isn’t discomfort he feels, but mere embarrassment. 

He clears his throat, quoting, “‘If it’s the two of us, I’m sure it’ll be fun.’”

Visible shock clearly spreads on Tokiya’s face and Otoya has to laugh. But Tokiya still doesn’t say anything, and Otoya takes it upon himself to elaborate further. “It’s just that I thought Lycoris would be just like Red Riding Hood! But, the script is like Romeo and Juliet instead, and I was kinda surprised!”

“Is that… the truth?” Tokiya asks again.

Otoya nods again, his own eyes looking straight into the other’s. It’s only when Tokiya finally smiles that he grins too.

     ii. process

“Otoya, I don’t think this is how we should be practising lines.” Tokiya’s reprimand is light, and Otoya doesn’t react much to it, just jutting out his bottom lip to form a pout that the other is unable to see anyway.

He twists his neck to meet Tokiya’s eyes, only to ensure that Tokiya isn’t really trying to get him to sit properly before he drops back down, his arms and head dangling off the arm of the sofa. He squints at the letterings on the book. Okay, so his neck is a little stiff from the position but he’s still comfortable like this.

“What? You don’t like this, Tokiya?”

The response comes a little late, and Otoya thought that he hadn’t heard his question at first. But before he could repeat it again, there’s a hand ruffling his hair. Letting out a pleased sigh, he closes his eyes at familiar warmth of the hand.

“... No. Not at all.” Otoya could hear the smile in the voice, and he’s about to go back to the script again when the leg beneath him moves, causing pain to spread at his ribcage, and Otoya has to let out a whine. “--Though my legs are falling asleep, so I’ll be grateful if you could get up, Otoya.”

A disgruntled noise in his throat, Otoya finally pushes himself up then, settling down at the spot next to Tokiya, a hand rubbing his stomach at where Tokiya’s leg basically kicked. “You didn’t have to do that,” he complains, a pout on his lips.

That gets a chuckle out of him, amusement sparkling in his eyes. He adjusts himself, crossing his legs now that they’re free from Otoya’s weight. He simply points to the script. Though, rather than lines from the script, the words out of his mouth forms a question instead. “So, what do you think, Otoya?”

Despite the vagueness of the question, Otoya understands. It’s a question about his opinion of this scene. It’s a common question they ask each other whenever they practised scripts, as a way to familiarise themselves with their own interpretations of the character and the work. But this time, Otoya feels like the question is a little more loaded. Not just about what he thinks, but how he feels.

It reminds him of just a few days ago, where the usual clear blue eyes seem unnecessarily anxious when Tokiya tries to make sure that Otoya is fine with this role. His own eyes turning back to the lines, he leans comfortably against the couch.  It’s the first meeting of the characters that they play. At the cave. 

“Mm-- I really like it.” A pause. “I mean, they only just met each other, but they clicked really well. And it’s nice that they promised to see the world again. It’s probably my favourite scene.”

Tokiya seems to still for a moment, and Otoya looked questioningly at him. It takes a while before he finally speaks.

“This… is my favourite scene too.”

There’s a tenderness in Tokiya’s voice.

The exact same kind of voice Otoya expects Randolph to have in this scene. (The director’s choice in casting Randolph is maybe, too apt.)

“And…” Otoya can’t help but add after a few seconds. “I think this scene showed what they mean to each other. Blood is really bright and friendly, but I don’t think he’ll have made this kind of promise to just anyone!”

“I won’t forget the star that shines the brightest…” he quotes. “Just like what Randolph thinks of Blood, Blood also thinks of him as the light, you know!”

He looks back up, eyes full of meaning and grins.

     iii. afterparty

Otoya is on the other side of the room.

After exchanging the basic pleasantries, his eyes starts searching for the other out of habit. Immediately, he considers crossing the room, but Otoya is laughing and grinning with Reiji and the other members of QUARTET NIGHT.

Tokiya turns away instead.

Not quite knowing what he should do, and his mind still wanting to go to Otoya’s, he decides to take out his phone. His left hand is holding a drink, but he could still type well enough with his right hand.

But one thing for sure, I’m glad that you played Blood, Otoya.

The notification comes a mere three minutes later, just as Tokiya picks up the crepe made in the image of Randolph.

-- Me too, Tokiya.

He raises his head, just in time to see Otoya making his way to him, all bright smiles and grins.

“Done with talking to Reiji?”

It’s meant to be a simple question, but from the tease that seem to sparkle in Otoya’s eyes… Maybe there was that little bit of spite in it.

Tokiya coughs.

“Mm, not really. But I came to talk to you, Tokiya!”

A pause before he sighs. “Hey, you know in times like this, you’re supposed to say yes, that you’ve finished talking.”

He just laughs. And Tokiya shakes his head.

“Hey, Tokiya.” Otoya’s still smiling. “Thanks.”

That’s... surprising. Not the thanks itself -- Otoya thanks people easily and frequently, a trait that’s endearing and cute -- but the voice it was said in… The tone. It feels... little heavier than usual?

“For what?”

Another laugh. “For being Randolph.”

He feels his cheeks warm. “Idiot. You already said that.”

“Nope! Tweeting it is different from saying it! So… I thought I should say it in person too.”

“I see.”

Otoya looks at him expectantly, as if waiting.

“Fine, fine.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m glad that you’re Blood, Otoya.”

The grin he receives in response makes him glad that he said it after all.

     iv. extra

“So, is this Randolph’s paw?”

“I suppose so. The way you phrase it makes it sound like a variation of the Monkey’s Paw.”

“Then, doesn’t that mean that it can grant wishes?”

“Perhaps. Then, Otoya, make a wish then.”

“Mm…. Then, Randolph’s Paw, Randolph’s Paw, may Randolph and Blood be happy in their next life. Let them see the rest of the world…!”

“... Isn’t that what I tweeted?”

“Yep! I made a wish for you!”

“Shouldn’t you make your own wish?”

“Then… Since they’re our characters… Randolph’s Paw, Randolph’s Paw, may Tokiya and I be happy in this life! Let’s always be together!”